Whisper by Tressie Lockwood Page B

didn’t take Max’s words seriously that she was his mate. Alec had never come across any woman that gave him that “feeling” so many of his kind talked about, and he refused to believe whatever draw Whisper held was anything other than a desire for her luscious body.
     
    To deny excitement coursed through his veins at seeing her tonight and the thought of touching her was to lie to himself, and he wasn’t in the habit of doing that. Another thing he wasn’t in the habit of doing was going out onto the city streets in his leopard form. That was dangerous and foolish. They could not be discovered. Yet, when he heard her pass his place, he knew he would follow. The city wasn’t safe for a woman alone at night, and he’d been proven correct when that bastard had tried coming onto her. Alec found himself using all of his willpower not to attack the guy. If he had touched her … No, that didn’t bear thinking about.
     
    He tossed the towel aside in anger and sat on the side of his bed. What the hell was this? In an instant, he’d gone from lusting for her to uttering possessive mewls like she belonged to him. The only knowledge that gave him any peace was that he wasn’t behaving the way his brother had when he met Sarah. He’d been like a kitten in love, bouncy and playful whenever he was in her presence. Max had been intolerable at that time, almost sickening. Alec tolerated him only for Sarah, who’d been a sweet woman, one of the best, and perfect for his brother. She’d been devoted to him.
     
    Now that I think about it, I was almost jealous of him. I wanted what he had found . Well, until I came to my senses.
     
    He put thoughts of Whisper and how much he wanted her out of his head for the time being. Tonight he would be a perfect gentleman. He’d show her a good time and then drop her at her door none the worse. His plan was to leave her wanting and unable to resist seeking him out. Then he’d welcome her with open arms.
     
    Alec left his apartment and crossed the hall to Whisper’s place. He’d had plenty of time to find a house now, but he was putting it off. The apartment was convenient. He could watch over her, and when he didn’t Max did. For some reason antagonizing Alec by pretending an interest in Whisper had eased some of his brother’s grief. Alec knew if Max thought she was his, he would not get in the way, so for now, Alec let him believe what he wanted. For the first time in months, Max wasn’t driving him insane acting out the torment that was in his heart. If nothing else, Alec had to thank Whisper for that.
     
    When Whisper opened the door, he did all he could not to let on how she affected him. Her beauty took his breath away. Wide brown eyes, soft thick lips, and a cute nose. She stood no higher than his collarbone, and although she was plump—which set his loins on fire—she still appeared fragile to him. He didn’t appreciate the sense of wanting to protect her, but it was there inside of him.
     
    “That dress,” he breathed.
     
    She frowned and looked down at herself. “You don’t like it? I know it’s a little clingy. I thought it wasn’t so bad.” She swung away from him a little trying to see behind her. He got a view of her curvy ass, and she was right, the dress was clingy. Wonderfully clingy. His palms itched for a squeeze, but he refrained.
     
    “I love it. You look beautiful tonight, and blue is perfect with your smooth cocoa skin.” He raised her hand, flipped it over, and kissed her palm. The tremble satisfied him that she was affected by his touch.
     
    She blushed and lowered her lashes. Did she know the power she held in those eyes? He doubted it.
     
    “Thanks,” she murmured. “So why did I have to get dressed up? Where are we going?”
     
    He tsked. “Wait and see.”
     
    When they reached the street, he watched for her reaction to the horse and carriage. Her eyes widened, and her mouth made a little O . He suppressed a smile. After he